Xing Muzheng’s tone softened. “That matter passed long ago. How can my good wife still hold onto it? I know I was wrong. Forgive me, won’t you?”
Qian Jiaoniang gave him a cold look. “I’ll remember it my whole life.” Though her words were harsh, her body leaned against him, allowing his large hand to roam across her chest.
Xing Muzheng gave a low laugh, delighted by her “whole life.” “In that case, I’ll spend my whole life making amends.” His long fingers deftly loosened the sash at her waist.
Qian Jiaoniang’s face was crimson, her beauty outshining peach blossoms.
Xing Muzheng loved the blooming radiance of her in his arms. Almost devoutly, he lowered his head to kiss her lips, then carried her to the bed.
This night’s joining, Xing Muzheng was endlessly tender. For the first time, Qian Jiaoniang responded to him with passion, twining around him. If the times before could be called harmonious, this one was perfection itself. In each other’s eyes, they saw a love too deep to dissolve.
They looked at each other and smiled, embracing with affection.
Xing Muzheng brushed back her sweat-damp hair, kissed her forehead. Qian Jiaoniang closed her eyes, feeling his gentleness, her fingers tightly interlaced with his.
Xing Muzheng sighed softly. “Jiaoniang, there’s something I want to tell you.”
Qian Jiaoniang tilted her head slightly, and gave a quiet “mm.” Xing Muzheng pecked her lips lightly, his hand squeezing hers.
Qian Jiaoniang waited, but Xing Muzheng was silent for a long while. She waited still.
At last, he spoke.
“Before… before, I…” Xing Muzheng had never been good at opening his heart. After much thought, he began haltingly. “Before, I didn’t know what love was. I thought marriage was only for continuing the bloodline. So in those days, I truly didn’t place you in my heart. I… apologize.”
Qian Jiaoniang had long since understood this, and had let it go. Yet hearing him admit it now still made her heart ache faintly.
“I fought on the battlefield nine years, killed countless men, saw blood everywhere, even under my nails. My heart was cold. A man before me was nothing but the difference between the living and the dead. My heart held only killing. When I closed my eyes, it was blades and shadows. Even when I returned to Yuzhou, I felt I’d soon march to war again. I even longed for slaughter! I knew I was becoming neither man nor ghost, only a knife made for killing. Old Master Yuan urged me to find someone who understood me. He said a good woman’s gentleness could temper a man’s steel. I wanted to try, but foolishly thought your illiteracy made us too far apart, so I chose Feng Yuyan instead.” Xing Muzheng spoke slowly. “Until I was poisoned and fell into madness, only then did I see the real you. Just as you said, I judged you before I even truly knew you—that was unfair. I regret it deeply. To see you hurt by me nearly drove me mad. Without you by my side, I could never have survived. You are my light, my home.”
Xing Muzheng spoke whatever came to his heart, and Qian Jiaoniang understood it all. Her nose stung. Life was hard for everyone.
“As for that imperial decree of divorce, it was not of my asking. The imperial family issued it on their own.”
Having heard his heartfelt words, Qian Jiaoniang was completely at peace. She no longer cared about that decree.
“…On our wedding night, I already liked you.” Qian Jiaoniang said softly. “You asked me if it hurt. You were the first to ask me that.”
Xing Muzheng had known she once cherished feelings for him, but never thought it began that very night.
“At that time I thought, if you died on the battlefield, I would fulfill filial duty for you and raise our son. If you lived, I would wait for you to return.” Qian Jiaoniang rested against his chest. “These years, it was you who supported me, so I could live on with Chou’er. Many times I thought I couldn’t go on, but when I thought of you, thought of seeing you again, I clenched my teeth and endured. You… are also my home.”
Xing Muzheng hugged her tightly. Fortunately, they could reach the same destination through different paths!
“Jiao Niang, it was all my fault in the past. If you are willing to forgive me, marry me again, okay?”
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